Re: Mainframe - COBOL, DB2, IMS Etc.

I don't remember exactly, but I believe that I was not given the option to
use JAWS. I personally don't use Braille.

I don't remember how much extra time I was given, but because it was
difficult for me to get used to the reader and the reader to get used to me,
I was not able to finish the whole exam. I think that I finished only 75%
of the exam.

Probably I could ask for more time, but I had to do it before the exam was
started.

I use Jaws with a Braille display. I enjoy looking through the code in
Braille myself. Were you given the option of bringing in Jaws? I am a
Braille reading since first grade. I could code Java without it, but I am
much faster having Braille. How much extra time were you given?

Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2010 6:27 PM
To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Mainframe - COBOL, DB2, IMS Etc.
Man, I didn't know Lion's World could teach you so much. Wish I had
nine months to go off to school. I'm married with a kid and we got
another one on the way due in May. Nine months in Arkansas ... not
gonna happen. It sounds like just what the doctor ordered for you,
Aran. You get .net and Java and you get it all in an accessible
environment.
Regards,
Alex M
On 10/12/10, Aran A <aran351@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Hi Susie,
Thank you very much for the information!
I took the Java certification on 2006, but unfortunately I did not have a
chance or place to use it.
I contacted the local TechSkills, and through their website, I was able to

read online books, and learn Java. They did not assist me at all, but
their

website was very beneficial.
I took the certification exam at the local New Horizon. I can't remember
who organized that, I had to make a phone call, and make sure that I will
have a reader. The reader read me the questions, and all the multiple
options, and wrote my answers.
I got some extra time, but it took me too much time to get used to the

reader, and it took too much time for the reader to get used to me, so I
was
not able to finish the whole exam, may be 75% - 80%, but what I did was
good

enough to pass the exam successfully.
Actually, the first time when I came to take the exam the reader did not

come, and did not notify anybody, and it was a blessing, because even
though
I did not take the exam, I thought that I was not ready enough. I bought
an

I programmed in COBOL and most of the other stuff you did from my first
job
on August 9th until March of 2006. In 2004 I took a Java course at our
local
community college. I work for the United States Department of Agriculture
in
Kansas City, Missouri. I have been training in Java since being
transferred
to this division. I also help with Section 508 web questions. Please get
on

the program-java list on freelists and tell us about your travel to Sun

certification. If you can't do that, please continue this thread to
explain

things like how much time it took you to take the test, how was your
blindness accomidated, and what study material did you use. Obviously, I
feel the need for us old folks with COBOL is out dated. Everything here is
being migrated to Java.
Susie Stanzel
-----Original Message-----
From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Homme, James
Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2010 7:17 AM
To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: Mainframe - COBOL, DB2, IMS Etc.
Hi Aran,

I work for Bender Consulting Services, http://www.benderconsult.com/ I
sent
a note to our office to ask of we have any mainframe openings in your
area.

That was before I saw this note about your Java certification. If you want

to send me your resume, I will forward it to our recruiters to see if we
can

help you.
Jim
Jim Homme,
Usability Services,
Phone: 412-544-1810. Skype: jim.homme
Internal recipients, Read my accessibility blog. Discuss accessibility
here. Accessibility Wiki: Breaking news and accessibility advice
-----Original Message-----
From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Aran A
Sent: Monday, October 11, 2010 7:16 PM
To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Mainframe - COBOL, DB2, IMS Etc.
Alex, thank you very much!
More than 3 years ago, I took and I was certified in Sun Certified Java
Programmer (SCJP), but, after I was certified, I did not think that I was
capable of writing anything more than very simple Java programs.
I thought that the following course probably can help me with achieving
employment as a >Net programmer, specially with the internship at the end:
Microsoft Certified Professional Developer
Program Description: The training is designed to educate the individual in

computer programming and prepare the individual to work as a programmer at
a

business that has a computer network. The course is divided into three
training modules: an introduction to programming; the .Net programming
environment; development; followed by an internship.
The first module combines an introduction to the Eclipse development

environment and the Java programming language. The second module focuses
on
the .Net programming environment. Languages and environments taught
include

C sharp, XML, SQL, Visual Studio, SOAP, and WCF. The third module is a
follow up to the academic instruction. Individuals work on development

projects which serve to pull the diverse elements of the programming
courses

into a cohesive understanding of programming. Successful completion of the
course will result in five Microsoft certifications: four Microsoft
Certified Technology Specialists (MCTS) and one MCPD.
What do you think?
Other responses, and opinions are welcome!
Regards,
Aran
----- Original Message -----
From: "Alex Midence" <alex.midence@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, October 11, 2010 6:01 PM
Subject: Re: Mainframe - COBOL, DB2, IMS Etc.

Hi,
Everything I have read so far has Java as the number 1 most popular
language to learn because it is object-oriented and multiplatform. I
am sure those on the list who are actively programming right now can
give you more experience-based answers but I've been exploring this as
a potential field for the last few months and doing a lot of research
on the best directions in which to go. So far, it appears that Java
is a must-know for anyone with c# and other .net languages right on
its heals like VB and asp. If you are going to do web development,
then php, javascript, and either python or perl are what you need to
learn.
Try doing a search on Craigslist in your area using keywords like
developer, java, .net, c# web developer senior developer ETC. That
will give you an idea of what might be out there in your area. And,
of course, there is always c++ which never goes out of style and is
probably used on some of the main frames you have used.
Sorry to hear about your job. I hope you find something else soon.
Alex M
Ps. Here's an interesting link you might find helpful:
http://regulargeek.com/2009/02/11/what-programming-language-should-i-learn/
On 10/11/10, Aran A <aran351@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Hello,

In the last 23 years I worked as a mainframe programmer (COBOL, DB2,
IMS,

EASYTRIEVE, IBM Utilities etc.).
Due to a merger, and many jobs outsourced to India, I was laid off.
My question to all of you who are employed as a mainframe programmer, or
was
employed in recently as a mainframe programmer.
Do you know, or believe that there is a future for a blind mainframe
programmer in the current employment market, or mainframe programming is
behind us.
I must make up my mind either to continue pursuing a mainframe
programming
position in the Charlotte, North Carolina area, or better upgrade my
skill
sets, and learn Microsoft SQL Server, and .NET languages.
Any opinion and advice that you may provide me, will be greatly
appreciated!
Thank you very much!
Regards,
Aran
P.S. If I decided to upgrade my skills, I am interested in learning
languages that will increase my chance to be hired as a programmer. If
you
believe that there are better languages than the .NET and Microsoft SQL

Server, and you know of a place where I can learn those languages,
please

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